Galvanizing apparatus



July 23, 1935. I A BRADLEY 5 L Z,008 13 ,GALVANIZING QAPPAIRATUS Filed July 13, 1951 Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED "STATES GALVANIZ'ING APPARATUS "Albert Bradley, Sterling, and Edward T. Foley,

Rock Falls, 111., assignors to NorthwesternBarb Wire Company, Sterling, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 13, 1931, Serial No. 550,294 14 Claims. (01. 91-422) This invention has to do with the art of gal vanization, and relates particularly to an im-" proved apparatus for galvanizing wire fencing, especially for removing excess spelteradhering to joints in the wire fabric subsequent'to galvanization of the fabric.

1 It is a well known fact that wirefabric which is galvanized after formation of the fabric is much more resistant to corrosion, not only at un- 10 bent or untwisted portions but also at bent portions, such as joints, of the wire of which the fabric is made, than is true of fabric, the individual wires offwhich are galvanized prior to formation of the fabric. It has been found, however, that while for the reason mentioned it is advantageous to galvanize the fabric after the latter is formed, yet such practice has in the past had the drawback that, due to the collection of the zinc or spelter at the joints because of the numerous pockets formed at the joints, a large amount of surplus and useless zinc is carried b the finished product;

The manufacture of hinge joint fence or fabric has been confined to the process by which the 25 wires are pregalvanized,-for the'reason that were the fabric made of ungalvanized wire and subsequently passed through a kettle of zinc, the latter adhering to the joints would freezethe joints so that-no hinging between the stay wires would be 30 possible.

We have accordingly devised a means by which the hinge joint or other fabric may besubjected to a coating process such as galvanizat-ion and v subsequently so-treated that the excess spelter or 35 zinc is'removed; In addition, by the employment of the apparatus to be herein described, the full efiiciencyof each hinge joint of the fabric is retained after solidification of all the zinc has occurred. X b The principal object of the present invention, accordingly, concerns itself with the provision of an apparatus and process'by which the above ends are attained. In accordance with the generalfeatures of. the 5- inventiorf, we provide in connection with a device for applying liquid coating to wire fabric, such for example as a kettle of molten zinc, cam actuated kickers or kicking elements in whose paths of movement the line wires of the fabric move as 50 they emerge from the kettle. These kicking instrumentalities are positioned to jog or otherwise agitate orimpact' the line wires at portions on which the zinc at the joints has not completely solidified, so that excess spelter at the joints will 55 beremov'ed', and at the same time, the stay wires are given a pivotal movement about the line wires andjoints thus struck so that freezing of the zinc at the joints is prevented. The kicking instrumentalities are preferably so arranged that they progressively engage the respective line wires in 5 order to insure the hinge movement of the stay wires at the times that the line'wires are tapped or jogged. Y

Other and further important objects of this invention will be'apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying draw ing. x r

This invention-.(in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described. 1

Figure 1. is a. fragmentary diagrammatic view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing generally the features of, the invention.

Figure 2 is an-enlarged sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1, but more in detail. I

Figure 3 is a plan'vie'w of a portion of the agitating mechanism showing how' pivotal movement of the various stay wires of hinge joint fabric is effected.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a hinge joint of the fabric to be treated by the apparatus forming the subject-matter of the present invention. I

Referringnow more particularly to the drawing, wherein the same parts are indicated throughout by. the same reference characters, thereis indicated at I generally a frame including standards 2- on opposite sides of the galvaniz- =ing apparatus, one side only being shown forthe purpose ofillustration. vThe standards 2 are joined by cross bars 3 only one of which is shown, and are disposed on opposite sides of akettle 4 adapted to contain zinc or other coating material ture' I is positioned over the opening 6 and con-a tains amass of grained charcoal or thelik'e} through which the coated fabric 5 passes. The

wiping material serves to remove a majoruportion of the excess zinc or the like adhering to the fabric 5.

' However, considerable zinc attaches itself to the spaces 9 between the cooperating coils of the individual stay wires "ha d between the coils and the line wires 1 Land theiwlpingvmaterial is incapable of removing all of this excess zinc or spelter. Accordingly, jointed wire fence such as wire netting and the like having no hinge joints and galvanized after the fabric is produced, carries considerable excess zinc or spelter, and hinge joint wire fence in addition to carrying the excess zinc, is practically useless as hinge joint fence for the reason that the excess zinc collecting at the joints causes the latter to become frozen and thereby prevent relative hinge or pivotal movement of the stay wires.

To the end that excess zinc at the joints may be removed from all kinds of wire fence, as well as to preserve the hinge actionof the several stay wires of hinge joint fence, we have devised a construction and process which are extremely simple and yet effective, and by the use of which no slowing up of the process of galvanizing and winding galvanized fabric on the finishing reels is occasioned. I

To these'ends, this construction includes a plurality of kicking or'jogging straps or elements l2 loosely and pivotally carried by a transverse bar or shaft I3, the ends of which are carried by end plates or brackets ll. The straps I2 are spaced apart along the rod l3 in accordance with the spacing apart of the line wires of the fabric and are positioned in juxtaposed relation to the line wires. Thestraps l2, as well as the cam actuating mechanism therefor to be later described, may be adjusted and thusarranged in accordance with the spacing of the line wires of fabric of difierentsizes of mesh.

' A pair of substantially parallel cam shafts l5 and I6 have their ends carried by the end plates H, the cams I! on the shaft [5 being in substantial alignment with the various straps l2. Each cam I! has a pair of angularly related arms l8 and I9, and is loosely pivotally carried by the shaft l5 so that under normal conditions the action of gravity holds each cam H in a predetermined position. The cams 20 on the cam shaft l6 are keyed thereto for rotation therewith and are also aligned with the several cams l1 and straps l2, suitable actuating means 2| being available for rotating the cam shaft, IS in the direction indicated by the arrow 22.

Each strap l2 has a projection 23 extending toward the corresponding cam l1 and disposed in the path'of upward movement of the arm ii of the cam l'l. Upon rotation of the cam 20 in the direction of the arrow at 22, the corresponding cam ll will turn as indicated by the'arrowa't 24 through an arc depending for its length on the duration of contact between the arm I! of the cam l1 and the cam 20, the upper limit of movement of the arm l8 being indicated at 25 in Figure 2. It will benoted that for this position of the cam l1, the nose 26 of the cam 20 is about to cease contact with the arm I9 of the cam H. As soon as the nose 26 of the cam 20 passes downwardly beyond the arm I! of the cam II, the latter again-assumes its usual position due to the action of gravity and as shown in Figure '1. It will now be clear that as each cam I1 is caused to turn by the corresponding cam 20, the arm l8 of the cam" will rise and forcibly engage the projection 23 on the corresponding strap l2 and namethe latter tokick the juxtaposed line wire lland'defleot the fabric 5 at said line wire, as shown in Figure 3.

The fabriciwiiimove in the direction of the arrow in response to the action of drawing means including the drawing roll 21 which is preferably constantly rotated by suitable means 28 so that the fabric 5 will be tensioned at all times and will thus tend to retain all of its parts in substan'-' tially the same plane. It will accordingly be evident that when one of the line wires 1 l is kicked by a corresponding strap l2, the resultant shape of the fabric 5 will be substantially that shown in Figure 3,--s6athat the stay wires l extending from "the particular line wirell engaged by the strap l2 will undergo relative pivotal movement by which freezing of the zinc at the joints of the stay wires will be prevented.

In order to insure that the various stay wires will be shifted or pivoted about the line wires H inresponse tothe kicking movement of the various straps l2, the earns 20 arranged on the cam shaft H; are disposed with their noses 26 extending in different radial planes so that instead of all of the cams II striking the various straps I2 at the same time, the cams I1 will strike the straps l2 in succession as indicated in Figures 2 and 3'. If desired, the cams 20 could be otherwise arranged, to cause widely spaced straps l2 to kick corresponding widely spaced line wires ll simultaneously and as these strapsrecede, another set-of widely spaced straps l2 could be actuated. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the cams .20 are substantially 36 degrees apart, thereby providing for ten successive kicks of the fabric per revolution of the cam shaft l6. Any otherv arrangement may, of course, be provided for.

The shaft supporting plates or brackets I4 are carried in guides 28 which are secured in any suitable manner to the standards l2. Each plate I! is slidable in its respective guide 28 as shown, and carries threaded elements 29 passing through the same and engageable with the lower portion of the guide 28 for raising and lowering the plates I4 and holding the same in adjusted position. Because of changed conditions involving the temperature of the zinc or other coating material in the kettle l and the tempera ture of the room in which the apparatus is installed, as well asother factors, it may be found desirable to vary the positions of the kicking elements l2 lengthwise of the fabric 5. This is due to the fact that under different circumstances, the molten condition of the zinc or other coating material on the fabric 5 may vary for a given point or distance of the moving fabric from the kettle-L- Moreover, it may be found advantageous for other reasons to agitate or kick the fabric 5 at a point closer to or more removed frorn'the kettle l in order that excessive or insufficient removal of the zinc may be avoided. For these reasons, it is evident that adjustment of the plate l4 and consequently ,of the kicking instrumentalities is desirable. 1

The stop member 30 serves to limit the returning movement of the straps l2, which normally hang as shown in Figure 1. .Each strap I2 is moreover preferably'rounded at 3| in a direction away from the moving fabric 5 to avoid sharp or rough edges.

While the instrumentalities are so arranged in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for cooperation with the fabric which moves vertically out of the kettle 4, it will be understood that'the invention is not dependent for its operation upon this particular arrangement but, on the contrary, the fabric 5 may be arranged to issue from the kettle l in any desired direction and the agitating or kicking and drawing in-- str umentalities could be correspondingly arranged. Moreover, the agitating instrumentalities, while shown as disposed on one side. of the moving fabric 5, could be reversedand-arranged' line wires of the fabric, a series of cams arranged to strike the opposite side of the-fabric 5.

From the above, it will be apparent that the mechanism constructed in accordance withthe' present invention is extremely simple, involves a low cost ofjmanufacture, operates without attention, and in such a manner as not to impede the [progress of the 'moving'fabric 5 so that no slowing up of production is necessitated.

The cam shaft I6 is rotated preferably a number of times per minute, ,50 for example, in order that each line wire may be displaced from the normal plane of the fabric 5 withsufiicient rapidity and force to insure-the throwing'off of allfexcess zinc or other coating material-at the hingejoints to thereby preventfreezing at such joints. I

The frequency of rotation just stated'may, of course, be varied within a fairlywide' range, andmay also be varied depending 'on the rate of movement of the fence 5. If, for a givenadjustment of the plates I4 lengthwise of the fabric 5, it is found that toomuch zinc or other'coa ing material is thrown off by the impact, said plates l4 may be adjusted with respect to the fabric 5 in adirection away from the kettle 4,

or toward the kettle if it is found that not enough and numerous details of construction may be, varied through a Wide range withoutdeparting from the principles of this invention, and we, therefore, do not desire limiting the patent gran ed hereon otherwise thanisjnecessitate'd by the prior art.

We claim as our'invention:

'l.'In a coating apparatus including a kettle containing coating material in a molten condition and means for drawing hinge joint fabric to be coated from said kettle, a device for agitating the fabric asit emerges from the kettle, said device comprisinglaterally spaced instrumentalities in juxtaposed relationto a plurality of line wires'of the fabric, and means for causing said instrumentalities to successively strike the line wires of the fabric to'thereby cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with the"linewires.

In a coating apparatus including a" kettle containing coating material in a molten conditionj'and means for drawing hinge joint' fabric to be coated from said kettle, adevice foragi tating the fabric as it emerges from the kettle, said device comprising instrumentalities in juxtaposed relation to a plurality of wires of the fabric, and means for causing said instrumentalities to successively strike the line wires of the fabric to thereby cause pivotal movement of the stay wires .associated with the line wires,

said means jincluding intermittently movable cams and'constantly rotating cams, said cams joint fabric to be coated in a direction parallel to a plurality of kicking elements normally but of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the for a'ctuatingsaid elements, said cams extending in different'radialplanes, whereby said elements are actuated-"successively by saidcams; to--de'- flect successive line wires from the normal plane from the kettle, said device including supports straddling the fabric, brackets carried 'by said supports, means for adjusting said brackets lengthwise of the fabric, jogging mechanism 'carried by said-brackets, said mechanism including a plurality of kicking elements normally out of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabri'cya series of cams arrangedfor actuating said elements, saidcams extendingin different radial planes, whereby said elements are actuated'successively-by saidcams, to deflect successive line wires from the normal plane of the fabric, and thus cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with each line wire, and means for'constantly rotating said'cams' 5.- In galvanizing apparatus including a galva'nizing kettle and means for drawing hinge joint fabric to be'coated in a direction parallel to the line wiresof thefabric from said kettle, a device for agitating the line wires as they emerge from the kettle, said device including supports straddling the fabric, brackets carried by said supports, means for adjusting said brackets lengthwise of the fabric, jogging mechanism carried by said brackets; said mechanism including a plurality of kicking elements normally'out of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric,- a series of cams arranged for actuating said elements, said-Scams extending in different radial planes, whereby said-elements are actuated successively by said cams, to deflect by impact successive line wires from the normal plane of the fabric, and thus cause pivotal movement of the stay wires-associated with eachline wire. a

6. In agalvanizing'apparatus including a kettle containing zinc in amolten conditionsand means for: drawing hinge joint galvanized fabric from said kettle, a device for agitating thefabric as it emerges from the kettle, said device comprising laterally spaced instrumentalities in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, one instrumentality to a line wire, and means for causingsaid instrumentalities, one at a time, to strike the line wires of the fabric to thereby cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with the line wires and prevent freezing of the zinc at the joints.

'7. In a galvanizing apparatus including a kettle containing zinc in a molten condition and means for drawing hinge joint galvanized fabric from said kettle, a device for agitating the fabric as it emerges from the kettle, said device comprising laterally spaced instrumentalities in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, one instrumentalitiy to a line wire, and means for causing said instrumentalities to selectively strike the line wires of the fabric to'thereby cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with the line wires and prevent freezing of the 7 zinc at the Joints.

8. In a galvanizing apparatus including a kettle containing zinc in a molten condition and means for drawing hinge joint galvanized fabric 9. In a galvanizing apparatus including a kettle containing zinc in a molten condition and means for drawing hinge joint galvanized fabrics from said kettle, a device for agitating the fabric as it emerges from the kettle, said device comprising laterally spaced instrumentalities in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, one instrumentality to a line wire, and means for causing said instrumentalities to selectively and progressively strike the line wires of the fabric to thereby cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with the line wires and prevent freezing of the zinc at the joints. v

10. In combination with galvanizing apparatus including a galvanizing kettle and means for drawing galvanized hinge joint fabric in a direction parallel to the linewires of the fabric from said kettle, a device for agitating the line wires as they-emerge from the kettle, said device including a plurality of kicking elements normally out. of

contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, a series of rotary cams arranged for actuating said elements, said cams extending in different radial planes, whereby said elements are actuated at different times by said cams to deflect successive line wiresfrom the normal plane of the fabric and thus cau'se pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with each line wire.

11. In combination with galvanizing apparatus including a galvanizingkettle and means for drawing galvanized hinge joint fabric in a direction parallel to the line wires of the fabric from said kettle, a device for agitating the line wires as they emerge from the kettle, said device including a plurality of kicking elements normally out of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, a series of rotary cams arranged for actuating said elements, each cam extending in a radial plane between the radial planes of the two next adjacent cams, whereby said elements are actuated successively by said cams to deflect successive line wires from the normal plane of the fabric and thus cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with each line wire. I

12. In combination with galvanizing apparatus including a galvanizing kettle and a wiping device located at the exit of the kettle, means for drawing hinge joint fabric in ,adirection parallel to the line wires of the fabric from said kettle and device, mechanism for agitating the line wires as they emerge from the wiping device, said mechanism including aplurality of kicking elements normally out of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, a series of rotary cams arranged for actuating said elements, said cams extending in different radial planes, whereby said elements are actuated at different times by said cams to deflect successive line wires from the normal plane of the fabric and thus cause pivotalmovement .of the stay wires associated with each line wire. I

13. In combination with galvanizing apparatus including a galvanizing kettle and a wiping device located at the exit of the kettle, means for drawing hinge joint fabric in a direction parallel to the line wires of the fabric from said kettle and device, mechanism for agitating the line wires as they emerge from the wiping device, said mechanism including a plurality of kicking elements normally out of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, a series of rotary cams arranged for actuating said elements, each .cam extending in a radial plane between the radial planes of the two next adjacent cains, whereby said elements are actuated successively by said cams to deflect successive line wires from the normal plane of the fabric and thus cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with each line wire.

14. In combination with galvanizing apparatus including a galvanizing. kettle and means for drawing galvanized hinge joint fabric in a direction parallel to the line wires of the fabric from said kettle, a device for agitating the linewires as they emerge from the kettle, said device including a plurality of kicking elements normally out of contact with but in juxtaposed relation to the line wires of the fabric, a series of rotary cams' arranged for actuatingsaid elements, said cams extending in different'radial planes, whereby said elements are actuated at diflerent times by said cams to deflect successive line wires from the normal plane of the fabric and thus cause pivotal movement of the stay wires associated with each line wire, and means for adjusting the device toward and away from the kettle.

ALBE T BRADLEY. EDWARD 'r. FOLEY. 

